Regional Dynamics of Violence in Colombia. Demographic Costs and Geospatial Differences of Violent Mortality 1985-2015

Rafael Navarro , Phd Student
Enrique Acosta, Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics

Several studies have analyzed the evolution of mortality by external causes in Colombia, giving an approximation of how the violence due to armed conflict and homicides have behaved in the country. These studies have given insight h into mortality was affected during the different phases of the conflict on mortality. However, the armed conflict varied in intensity not only over time but also across regions. By studying the mortality consequences at the regional level more insight is gained into the consequences of the violence for Colombia. To address this gap in knowledge, this paper describes and compares the main characteristics of external mortality due to violence in each of the 33 provinces of the country in light of the consecutive socio-historical phases of violence in Colombia within the period 1985-2015. Within each period, we analyze the violent mortality focusing on the differences by sex, age and potential demographic costs in terms of life-years lost. As previous studies have identified, the diversity of contexts, scenarios, types, and meanings of violence and permanent changes in its dynamics and intensity (...) makes it necessary to define in each case what violence is referred to and in what temporal space coordinates is located (Franco Agudelo, 2013) The analysis of mortality from violent causes must take into account both the regional demographics, economic and socio-political context. to identify the local impacts and concentrations of violent deaths and research the relationship between violence and mortality at a regional level in Colombia.

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 Presented in Session P2. Poster Session Ageing, Health and Mortality